GraceWay D.C.

"We have staked the whole future of the American civilization not upon the power of the government, far from it...we have staked (it) upon the capacity of each of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments."

Thus was the conviction of the Honorable James Madison, "Father of the Constitution" and 4th president of our great nation.

Today, please welcome a modern Patriot- one who assents to and lives by the vision of our founding fathers. General John Teichert will challenge our hearts to rise to our call of duty as Christian Americans.

Summer is here in full swing! The word "summer" is mentioned in one context in the New Testament: the soon return of the Lord Jesus. Let us look with eager hearts toward the day when all things will be made new!

As we see the sign unfold, Peter says we should do two things: live a holy life and preach salvation (2 Peter 3). God is always calling His people into holiness and He is always sending His people to give the Gospel.

This is the focus of the message from Leviticus 20 today.

Happy Fathers Day! I am grateful to my own Dad for the heritage of faith he has given me. In fact, both Deborah and I's dads would be more eager to tell you about who they gave the Gospel to this week than any other subject. Neither were perfect, but both men are heroes to us - they love God, their family, and pray for the next generation of faith. We are blessed!

We have another great dad here today, Evangelist David Sommerdorf. Marine veteran; lover of God, family, and country; I know he will be a great blessing to you.

Holiness is a practical and comprehensive thing. In Hebrew, the words "holy" and "wholly" are related. If our idea of holiness is confined to religious activity on Sunday, we don't quite understand the holiness code.

When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was He said, "Love God...and the second is like it...love your neighbor as yourself." He then went on to explain what it means to wholly (or is it "holy"?) love our neighbor. 

Turns out, Jesus was also expounding on Leviticus 19.

God is love. Merciful. Powerful. But, mentioned more than any other attribute: God is holy.

Therefore, God requires holiness in His people. It begins in what Jesus calls our "belly," our innermost being. From the center of our desires God wants His living water to flow. Only then will our land be healed.

On the holiest day of the year, the Day of Atonement, a very special ritual cleansed not only the people and the priests, but also the holy place and the alter. In nearly every instance, a rich comparison of the Messiah emerges.

But one point holds a stark contrast: our great High Priest did not need to offer sacrifices for his own sin. He is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens. He offered Himself ONCE for all!

There's nothing like the feeling of being clean. And the dirtier you are, the better it is. Now imagine being healed of a fatal disease-- especially of one for which there was no hope and no cure. Leprosy, in Bible times, was just that sort of disease. Only by the grace of God could one be healed. The leper had to admit his need and ask for the priest's mediation. Is it any wonder leprosy is a picture of sin? Praise be to God, He has provided a complete cure!

Hannah was in a world of hurt. Daily she was provoked to lose heart and become angry. There was no rest for her anguish, no answer to her need. People could not understand, neither could they help. Then, she took her complaint to the Lord and laid it before Him in brokenness. God heard her speechless prayer and gave her a promise. The result of believing the promise is our message for today.

Guilt is the feeling we have when a relationship is no longer what it used to be. Maybe it's something we've done; maybe it's something done to us. We feel we are not as loved or as valuable as we once were. How do we overcome this damaged feeling and live whole again?

Self-sabotage says we can't. The result is an abiding sense of rejection. God says differently. His sacrifice covers all guilt and shame. His wounds heal - completely.

Today's message is on one of the deepest wounds inflicted upon humanity, that of rejection.

It's the enemy's desire to first isolate us, then obliterate us. He will tell you your struggle is uniquely irredeemable. But the Bible says exactly the opposite. Your temptation is common and you can be completely healed.